From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Eastern Pennsylvania

Growers south of the Mason-Dixon line, when are you starting your seeds? Starting early for cool weather pollination or later for prime weighoff harvest time?
Jim

3/9/2006 10:43:38 AM

ordinary,VA

Jim,
I have started seeds as early as April 7th
and as late as May 15th.
Just going to keep an eye on the weather.
might start seeds one week apart.
starting in mid-April..

3/9/2006 8:11:47 PM

Mocksville, NC

Last week in April, and plan to set out 1st or 2nd week in May. Thats if all goes well! early Morning pollinations, around 7 am keep shaded. Rog

3/10/2006 4:50:23 PM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Jim,
I have previously started my seeds in late May, but the heat of July and August really have slowed the growth of my plants, so this year I am going to start my seeds by Mid April.

Have you all had the same problem when it gets hot?
Tom

3/12/2006 6:29:05 PM

ordinary,VA

Yes Tom last year was the worst.
i have better luck with the seeds
i start in mid-April.

3/12/2006 7:22:31 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I transplanted my generic seeds May 8th last season. This year I would like to do so by April 15th-22nd I think.

3/12/2006 8:44:00 PM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Last summer the cucumber beetles and vine borer’s were bad for me when it got hot, so this summer I am going to get a systemic insecticide, and start earlier.

I’m hoping that getting a head start will make a difference by the end of the season.

Tom

3/14/2006 12:11:59 PM

ordinary,VA

Tom the bugs were crazy last year.
maybe a early start will help.
are you going with merit?

3/14/2006 4:15:33 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

I have heard that the good systemic pesticides are not available to the average gardener. What kills the borers that I can get my hands on? Sevin has always done in the beetles here. I obliterated them in June and they never came back. Jim

3/14/2006 4:50:41 PM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Ed,
I used granular Sevin during the past two summers, and tried to keep the vines covered, but the cucumber beetles and vine borers were just out of control last summer!

Merit is a bit expensive (per 2 Oz bottle), so I am looking for an alternative.

Southern States, and several garden stores have grub control products that have the same compound ((imaclopterid (sp?)) as Merit. And Bayer who makes Merit has several products with the same ingredient.

I just need to pick up some for a soil drench before I plant my seeds outside in May.

Tom

3/16/2006 12:25:26 PM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Jim,

I think I might have answered your question too. Look for insecticide products that contain imaclopterid at stores that have a good garden section.

We have the big chain stores and small nurseries here. I usually check out what everyone has.

Tom

3/16/2006 7:19:53 PM

ordinary,VA

Tom.
I had no luck with sevin last year either.
i aslo keep the vines buried which didnt seem to help much.
let me know what you are going to use this year.
broke down this year and bought merit will find out how well merit works.

3/17/2006 4:58:24 PM

Farmville, Virginia (mfowler@hsc.edu)

I have used Thiodan the last couple years with great results on squash bugs and beetles. The guy at Southern States recommended it as being one of the best for pest control. I've been told about a product called Orthene that is supposed to be better than Thiodan but I don't know anything about it.

4/6/2006 2:12:51 AM

Long Island,New York

Guys with borer problems you have to bite the bullet and get warrior-T or equivalent. Consider it the cost of doing biz with pkns...a must have accessory like a shovel, a sprayer or manure. As soon as you realize this and do it you will start to enjoy growing giant pumpkins !!!.

4/6/2006 11:38:58 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Based on some recent disussions, I am leaning towards 1 dose every 90 days of Merit and alternating sprays with triazicide and sevin thoughout the season. Or maybe just triazicide. Tom do you still want to split a bottle of Merit?
Jim

4/6/2006 11:49:56 AM

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Yep, I am certainly interested Jim!

4/6/2006 1:22:55 PM

ordinary,VA

Has anyone started seeds yet?

4/22/2006 4:46:50 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

I start tomorrow, waiting for the aquarium to heat up.

4/22/2006 9:41:27 PM

Sparta, NC

I'm starting mine on the 30th

4/22/2006 10:22:21 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

What does the Farmer's Almanac say? BF

4/23/2006 1:34:42 AM

Appalachian Mtns.

I don't care what the Almanac says...I'm having back surgery on May 12 and gotta get some plants up, in ground, protected, and good to go by then.

4/23/2006 7:08:32 AM

ordinary,VA

kyle bubble heading back to you tomorrow.

4/23/2006 11:45:57 AM